REPORT

Early morning operation is being conducted at Okushiga Kogen Ski Resort on weekends and holidays through 5/6 (Sun.). Starting at 6:30 a.m., the Second Rapid Pair Lift (1,555m) begins running, giving access to the freshly groomed Expert Course (pictured), Rinkan Course, and First Slope. Although rain had been in the forecast this morning, it turned out to just be overcast instead.
[Okushiga・Expert Course]

I ran into some staff members from the Komori Ski Manufacturing company (pictured) who told me, “We always check your reports! We came to Shiga Kogen to test some skis. These are our new models. We’re really going for it on the Expert Course with its steep slope.” All three courses — the Expert, Rinkan, and First Slope — had somewhat soft surface layers from the start that offered smooth and fast riding conditions.
[Okushiga・Expert Course]

And when it comes to spring at Okushiga, it’s all about the four-lane mogul training area on the Fourth Slope! I crossed paths with a snowboarder from Aichi (pictured) who shared, “I always read your reports. I often come to Okushiga because I love riding moguls. I also look forward to the ¥100 juice that the patrol team offers. This year, the addition of the banked course is a nice touch, too.”
[Okushiga・Fourth Slope]

A snowboarder from Shiga (pictured, right), who was first in line for the Fourth Pair lift that starts running at 8:30 a.m., told me, “I arrived around noon yesterday and rode at Yakebitaiyama, but the snow was heavy and slushy. Compared to that, early morning conditions here are just perfect!” Around 9 a.m., however, the snow softened up into a slushy texture, making it a bit harder for the board to glide smoothly.
[Okushiga・Fourth Slope]

　
＊The Okushiga Kogen Fourth Pair Lift is closed from Monday to Thursday.
＊Starting today, 4/15 (Tue.), the Snownavi Spring ’25 Edition reports will include frequent updates from Shiga Kogen as well!
＊The base depth at the top of this report reflects the maximum depth across all of Shiga Kogen. Currently, the highest recorded depth of 180 cm is at Yakebitaiyama, Ichinose Family, and Takamagahara Mammoth, while Okushiga is reporting 160 cm.
*The planned final day of operation for each lift can be found here.
　 　
[Shiga Kogen Details on 4/20 (Sun.)]
*Available Courses … (Okushiga) All courses are OPEN, (Yakebitaiyama) Giant Slalom, Gondola Contact, Gondola detou, Super Giant, Panorama, Middle Contac, East, Middle, East connecting route, South connecting route, (Ichinose Family) Front, Teng, Panorama, Perfecter, (Takamagahara) All courses are OPEN, (Kumanoyu) All courses are OPEN, (Yokoteyama) 1st, 2nd, Kaiwa, Jumbo, King, (Shibutoge) Gemut, Weiber
*Available Lifts … (Okushiga) 2nd Rapid Pair, 3rd Rapid Pair, Gondola, (Yakebitaiyama) No.1 Gondola (8:00 -), No.2 Gondola, (Ichinose Family) Ichinose Quad, 2nd Pair B Line, (Terakoya) Terakoya Quad, Terakoya No.1 Pair (Kumanoyu) No.1 Pair, No.1 Pair B Line, (Yokoteyama) 1st Sky B Line, 2nd Sky, 3rd Sky, 4th Pair, (Shibutoge) 1st Romance
*Fees … 3/31- Spring Fee 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY6,500, Middle & High school students, over 60 y/o JPY5,900, Under 12 y/o JPY3,200

*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi